Method and circuitry to adaptively charge a battery/cell

ABSTRACT

The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to applying a charge pulse to the terminals of the battery during a charging operation, measure a plurality of voltages of the battery which are in response to the first charge pulse, determine a charge pulse voltage (CPV) of the battery, wherein the charge pulse voltage is a peak voltage which is in response to the first charge pulse, determine whether the CPV of the battery is within a predetermined range or greater than a predetermined upper limit value and adapt one or more characteristics of a charge packet if the CPV is outside the predetermined range or is greater than a predetermined upper limit value.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/681,071, titled “METHOD AND CIRCUITRY TO ADAPTIVELY CHARGE ABATTERY/CELL” and filed on Aug. 18, 2017, which is a divisional of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/828,235 (U.S. Pat. No. 9,787,122), titled“METHOD AND CIRCUITRY TO ADAPTIVELY CHARGE A BATTERY/CELL,” and filed onAug. 17, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/626,605 (U.S. Pat. No. 9,142,994), filed Sep. 25, 2012, titled“METHOD AND CIRCUITRY TO ADAPTIVELY CHARGE A BATTERY/CELL,” all of whichare herein incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes;this application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/752,592, titled “METHOD AND CIRCUITRY TOADAPTIVELY CHARGE A BATTERY/CELL USING THE STATE OF HEALTH THEREOF,”filed on Jun. 26, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/003,826 (U.S. Pat. No. 9,121,910), filed on Sep.9, 2013, and titled “METHOD AND CIRCUITRY TO ADAPTIVELY CHARGE ABATTERY/CELL USING THE STATE OF HEALTH THEREOF,” which is a nationalstage application of PCT Application PCT/US12/30618, which was filed onMar. 26, 2012 and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application61/468,051 filed Mar. 27, 2011 all of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety and for all purposes; application Ser. No.14/003,826 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/111,902 (U.S. Pat. No. 8,638,070), filed on May 19, 2011,and titled “METHOD AND CIRCUITRY TO ADAPTIVELY CHARGE A BATTERY/CELL,”which is a non-provisional application that claims benefit of U.S.Provisional Applications having Ser. Nos. 61/346,953 filed May 21, 2010,61/358,384 filed Jun. 24, 2010, 61/368,158 filed Jul. 27, 2010, No.61/439,400 filed Feb. 4, 2011, and No. 61/468,051 filed Mar. 27, 2011,all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety andfor all purposes.

INTRODUCTION

The present inventions relate to methods and circuitry to adaptivelycharge a battery/cell. In particular, in one aspect, the presentinventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to adaptivelycharge a battery/cell using data which is representative of a chargepulse voltage (CPV) or a change in the CPV. The CPV may be characterizedas (i) a peak voltage, measured at the terminals of the battery/cell,which is in response to a charge pulse and/or (ii) a substantial peakvoltage (i.e., within 5-10% of the peak voltage), measured at theterminals of the battery/cell, which is in response to a charge pulse.In one embodiment, the adaptive charging techniques and/or circuitryuses and/or employs such data, in connection with certain constraints orrequirements (that will be described below), to change, adjust, controland/or vary the charging current signal(s), including thecharacteristics thereof (including, for example, shape of charge and/ordischarge signal (if any), amplitude thereof, duration thereof, dutycycle thereof and/or rest period (if any)), applied to the terminals ofthe battery/cell.

Notably, in certain embodiments, two considerations in connection withimplementing adaptive charging circuitry and techniques include (i)minimizing and/or reducing total charging time of the battery/cell and(ii) maximizing and/or increasing cycle life of the battery/cell. Here,the adaptive charging circuitry according to certain aspects of thepresent inventions implement adaptive techniques which seek to (i)minimize and/or reduce total charging time of the battery/cell and (ii)maximize and/or increase the cycle life of the battery/cell (by, forexample, minimizing and/or reducing degradation mechanisms of thecharging operation).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the course of the detailed description to follow, reference will bemade to the attached drawings. These drawings show different aspects ofthe present inventions and, where appropriate, reference numeralsillustrating like structures, components, materials and/or elements indifferent figures are labeled similarly. It is understood that variouscombinations of the structures, components, and/or elements, other thanthose specifically shown, are contemplated and are within the scope ofthe present inventions.

Moreover, there are many inventions described and illustrated herein.The present inventions are neither limited to any single aspect norembodiment thereof, nor to any combinations and/or permutations of suchaspects and/or embodiments. Moreover, each of the aspects of the presentinventions, and/or embodiments thereof, may be employed alone or incombination with one or more of the other aspects of the presentinventions and/or embodiments thereof. For the sake of brevity, certainpermutations and combinations are not discussed and/or illustratedseparately herein.

FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate block diagram representations of exemplaryadaptive charging circuitry in conjunction with a battery/cell,according to at least certain aspects of certain embodiments of thepresent inventions, wherein FIG. 1B includes discrete memory coupled tothe control circuitry, and FIG. 1C illustrates circuitry external whichaccesses the memory to store one or more predetermined ranges employedby control circuitry in conjunction with adapting, adjusting and/orcontrolling one or more characteristics of the charge or current appliedto or injected into the battery/cell so that a change in voltage at theterminals of the battery/cell in response to such charge or current iswithin a predetermined range and/or below a predetermined value during acharging or recharging sequence, operation or cycle;

FIGS. 1D and 1E illustrate, in block diagram form, exemplary adaptivecharging circuitry in conjunction with a battery/cell (which may includetwo terminals (for example, positive and negative terminals), accordingto at least certain aspects of certain embodiments of the presentinventions, wherein in this embodiment, the charging circuitry mayinclude voltage source and/or current source, and the monitoringcircuitry may include voltage and/or current sensors (for example, avoltmeter and/or a current meter);

FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate exemplary waveforms illustrating a plurality ofexemplary charging signals and discharging signals of an exemplarycharging technique, wherein such charging signals may generally decreaseaccording to a predetermined rate and/or pattern (for example,asymptotically, linearly or quadratically) as the terminal voltage ofthe battery/cell increases during a charging or recharging sequence,operation or cycle (see, FIGS. 2B and 2D); notably, a charging orrecharging sequence, operation or cycle may include charging signals(which, in total, inject or apply charge into the battery/cell) anddischarging signals (which, in total, remove charge from thebattery/cell);

FIGS. 3A-3N illustrate exemplary charge and/or discharge packets of thecharging and discharging signals (which are exemplary illustrated inFIGS. 2A-2D), wherein such charge and discharge packets may include oneor more charge pulses and one or more discharge pulses; notably, in oneembodiment, each charge signal of FIGS. 2A-2D may include a plurality ofpackets (for example, about 100 to about 50,000 packets) and, in oneembodiment, each packet may include a plurality of charge pulses,discharge pulses and rest periods; notably, the pulses may be any shape(for example, rectangular, triangle, sinusoidal or square); in oneexemplary embodiment, the charge and/or discharge pulses of the packetmay include a temporal duration of between about 1 ms to about 500 ms,and preferably less than 50 ms; moreover, as discussed in detail below,one, some or all of the characteristics of the charge and dischargepulses (for example, pulse amplitude, pulse width/duration and pulseshape) are programmable and/or controllable via charging circuitrywherein the amplitude of the positive and/or negative pulses may varywithin the packet (and are programmable and/or controllable), theduration and/or timing of the rest periods may vary within the packet(and are programmable and/or controllable) and/or, in addition, suchpulses may be equally or unequally spaced within the packet; thecombination of charging pulses, discharging pulses and rest periods maybe repetitive and thereby forms a packet that may be repeated; allcombinations or permutations of pulse, pulse characteristics, periods,packets and signal characteristics and configurations are intended tofall within the scope of the present inventions;

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate the response of a battery/cell to a pluralityof charge pulses of a charge cycle wherein one or more CPVs of thebattery/cell (which are responsive to the charge pulses applied to thebattery/cell) may be analyzed to determine whether to adjust, adapt,change and/or control one or more characteristics of the charge orcurrent applied to or injected into the battery/cell during a chargingor recharging sequence, operation or cycle;

FIGS. 4C and 4D illustrate the response of a battery/cell to a pluralityof sequential or non-sequential charge pulses of a charge cycle whereina change in the CPVs of the battery/cell (wherein each CPV is associatedwith a charge pulse applied to the battery/cell) may be analyzed todetermine whether to adjust, adapt, change and/or control one or morecharacteristics of the charge or current applied to or injected into thebattery/cell during a charging or recharging sequence, operation orcycle

FIGS. 5A, 5C and 5E are flowcharts of exemplary processes ofdetermining, adapting and/or controlling the characteristics of acharging current based on or using a CPV of the battery/cell in responseto a charge pulse (which, in one embodiment, may be included in a chargeand/or discharge packet wherein such packets may include one or morecharge pulses (and may also include one or more discharge pulses)),according to certain aspects of the present inventions; wherein thecharging techniques and/or circuitry adapt, adjust and/or control one ormore characteristics of the charge or current applied to or injectedinto the battery/cell so that CPV of the battery/cell in response tosubsequent charge packets is (i) less than a predetermined upper limitvalue and/or within a predetermined range during a charging orrecharging sequence, operation or cycle (FIG. 5A) and/or (ii) greaterthan a predetermined lower limit value and/or within a predeterminedrange during a charging or recharging sequence, operation or cycle (FIG.5C) and/or (iii) less than a predetermined upper limit value and greaterthan a predetermined lower limit value during a charging or rechargingsequence, operation or cycle (FIG. 5E);

FIGS. 5B, 5D and 5F are flowcharts of exemplary processes ofdetermining, adapting and/or controlling the characteristics of acharging current based on or using a change in CPV of the battery/cellin response to a plurality of charge pulses (which, in one embodiment,may be included in a plurality of charge and/or discharge packetswherein such packets may include one or more charge pulses (and may alsoinclude one or more discharge pulses)), according to certain aspects ofthe present inventions; wherein the charging techniques and/or circuitryadapt, adjust and/or control one or more characteristics of the chargeor current applied to or injected into the battery/cell so that suchchange between two or more CPVs of the battery/cell, in responsesubsequent charge packets, is (i) less than a predetermined upper limitvalue and within a predetermined range (FIG. 5B), (ii) greater than apredetermined lower limit value and within a predetermined range (FIG.5D), and/or (iii) less than a predetermined upper limit value andgreater than a predetermined lower limit value during a charging orrecharging sequence, operation or cycle (FIG. 5F); notably, the chargepulses may be sequential or non-sequential pulses of a charge cycleand/or contained in sequential or non-sequential charge or dischargepackets;

FIG. 6A illustrates an exemplary charge packet having a charge pulsewhich provides an exemplary terminal voltage response of thebattery/cell wherein a CPV of the battery/cell (which is responsive tothe associated charge pulse) is greater than a predetermined upper limitvalue (V_(UL)), wherein a CPV of the battery/cell (which may correlateto the end of the charge pulse and/or the peak of the change in theterminal voltage due to the charge pulse) is greater than thepredetermined upper voltage limit (V_(UL)); notably, in one embodiment,the charging circuitry, in response to instructions from the controlcircuitry, adjusts the amplitude of the charge pulse (and/or the lengthof the associated rest period) to decrease the responsive terminalvoltage so that the CPV of the battery/cell is within a predeterminedrange and/or less than a predetermined upper limit value during acharging or recharging sequence, operation or cycle;

FIG. 6B illustrates an exemplary charge packet having a charge pulsewhich provides an exemplary terminal voltage response of thebattery/cell wherein a CPV of the battery/cell (which is responsive tothe associated charge pulse) is less than a predetermined lower voltagelimit (V_(LL)), wherein a CPV of the battery/cell (which may correlateto the end of the charge pulse and/or the peak of the change in theterminal voltage due to the charge pulse) is less than a predeterminedlower voltage limit (V_(LL)); notably, in one embodiment, the chargingcircuitry, in response to instructions from the control circuitry,adjusts the amplitude of the charge pulse (and/or the length of theassociated rest period) to increase the responsive terminal voltage sothat the CPV of the battery/cell is within a predetermined range and/orgreater than a predetermined lower limit value during a charging orrecharging sequence, operation or cycle;

FIG. 7A illustrates an exemplary charge packet having a charge pulseincluding a charging period (T_(charge)) followed by a rest period(T_(rest)) wherein the period of the charge packet is identified asT_(packet), according to certain aspects of the present inventions; anexemplary voltage response of the battery/cell to such charge packet isillustrated wherein a CPV is identified (which, in this embodimentcorrelates to a peak or substantial peak terminal voltage of thebattery/cell); notably, as discussed in detail below, one, some or allof the characteristics of the charge pulses (for example, pulseamplitude, pulse width/duration and pulse shape) are programmable and/orcontrollable via charging circuitry wherein the amplitude of thepositive pulse may vary between packets (and are programmable and/orcontrollable), the duration and/or timing of the rest periods may varywithin the packet (and are programmable and/or controllable) and/or, inaddition, such pulses may be equally or unequally spaced between thepackets; the combination of charging pulses and rest periods may berepetitive and thereby forms a packet that may be repeated; allcombinations or permutations of pulse, pulse characteristics, periods,packets and signal characteristics and configurations are intended tofall within the scope of the present inventions;

FIG. 7B illustrates an exemplary charge packet having a charge pulse(which injects charge into the battery/cell) and a discharge pulse(which removes charge from the battery/cell) wherein the charge pulseincludes a charging period (T_(charge)) and the discharge pulse includesa discharging period (T_(discharge)), according to certain aspects ofthe present inventions; notably, in this exemplary charge packet, anintermediate rest period (T_(inter)) is disposed between the charge anddischarge pulses, and a rest period (T_(rest)) is disposed after thedischarge pulse and before the next packet; an exemplary terminalvoltage response of the battery/cell to such charge packet isillustrated wherein a CPV is identified (which, in this embodimentcorrelates to a peak or substantial peak terminal voltage of thebattery/cell); notably, as discussed in detail below, one, some or allof the characteristics of the charge pulses (for example, pulseamplitude, pulse width/duration and pulse shape) are programmable and/orcontrollable via charging circuitry wherein the amplitude of thepositive and/or negative pulses may vary within the packet (and areprogrammable and/or controllable), the duration and/or timing of therest periods may vary within the packet (and are programmable and/orcontrollable) and/or, in addition, such pulses may be equally orunequally spaced within the packet; the combination of charging pulses,discharging pulses and rest periods may be repetitive and thereby formsa packet that may be repeated; all combinations or permutations ofpulse, pulse characteristics, periods, packets and signalcharacteristics and configurations are intended to fall within the scopeof the present inventions; moreover, discharge packets may have similarcharacteristics as charge packets except, however, a net charge isremoved from the battery/cell; for the sake of brevity, thediscussion/illustration with respect to discharge packet will not berepeated;

FIGS. 8A-8E illustrate, in flowchart like form, adaptive chargingtechniques having one or more adaption loops wherein each adaption loopestimates, calculates, measures and/or determines one or more differentparameters (for example, CPV and/or change in CPV); notably, theadaptation loops may be implemented alone/separately or in combination;all combinations or permutations thereof are intended to fall within thescope of the present inventions; a more detailed discussion of thesecond through Nth loop is set forth in application Ser. No. 13/366,352“Method and Circuitry to Calculate the State of Charge of aBattery/Cell”, which is incorporated herein by reference;

FIGS. 9A-9D illustrate exemplary parameters of the adaption loopsincluding, for example, (i) a first adaption loop based on CPV and/orchange in CPV in response to one or more charge pulses (of one or morecharge/discharge packets), (ii) a second adaption loop based on SOC ofthe battery/cell and/or full relaxation time or overpotential, (iii) athird adaption loop based on SOH (or changes therein) of thebattery/cell, and (iv) a fourth adaption loop based on the temperatureof the battery/cell (notably, in this embodiment, the system includes atemperature sensor to provide data which is representative of thetemperature of the battery/cell); a more detailed discussion of thesecond through 4th adaption loop is set forth in application Ser. No.13/366,352, which as indicated above is incorporated by reference;

FIGS. 10A-10D illustrate exemplary charge pulses having different shapesand pulse widths; all combinations or permutations of charge pulsecharacteristics are intended to fall within the scope of the presentinventions; and

FIGS. 11A-11D illustrate exemplary discharge pulses having differentshapes and pulse widths; all combinations or permutations of dischargepulse characteristics are intended to fall within the scope of thepresent inventions;

Again, there are many inventions described and illustrated herein. Thepresent inventions are neither limited to any single aspect norembodiment thereof, nor to any combinations and/or permutations of suchaspects and/or embodiments. Each of the aspects of the presentinventions, and/or embodiments thereof, may be employed alone or incombination with one or more of the other aspects of the presentinventions and/or embodiments thereof. For the sake of brevity, many ofthose combinations and permutations are not discussed separately herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In a first aspect, the present inventions are directed to adaptivecharging techniques and/or circuitry for a battery/cell wherein thecharging techniques and/or circuitry adapt, adjust and/or control one ormore characteristics of the charge or current applied to or injectedinto the battery/cell so that the CPV of the battery, which is inresponse to a charge pulse, and/or the change in CPVs associated withtwo or more charge pulses is (i) less than a predetermined upper limitvalue, (ii) greater than a predetermined lower limit value and/or (iii)within a predetermined range (for example, less than a predeterminedupper limit value and greater than a predetermined lower limit value)during a charging or recharging sequence, operation or cycle. As notedabove, a CPV (charge pulse voltage) of the battery/cell may becharacterized as (i) a peak voltage, measured at the terminals of thebattery/cell, which is in response to a charge pulse and/or (ii) asubstantial peak voltage (i.e., within 5-10% of the peak voltage),measured at the terminals of the battery/cell, which is in response to acharge pulse. For example, where the charging techniques and/orcircuitry apply charge packets, having one or more charge pulses, to thebattery/cell during a charging sequence, cycle or operation, in oneembodiment, the charging techniques and/or circuitry may adapt, adjustand/or control the amplitude and/or pulse width of the charge pulsesapplied to or injected into the battery/cell by subsequent packet(s)(for example, the immediately subsequent packets) so that the CPV of thebattery/cell and/or the change in CPVs of the battery/cell, in responseto subsequent charge packet(s), is within a predetermined range, lessthan a predetermined upper limit value and/or less than a predeterminedlower limit value. In one embodiment, the charging techniques and/orcircuitry adapt, adjust and/or control one or more characteristics ofthe charge or current applied to or injected into the battery/cell viaadapting, adjusting and/or controlling the shape, amplitude and/or widthof charge pulse(s) of the subsequent packet(s).

In another embodiment, the charging techniques and/or circuitry applycharge packets, having one or more charge pulses and one or moredischarge pulses, to the battery/cell during a charging sequence, cycleor operation. In this embodiment, the charging techniques and/orcircuitry may adapt, adjust and/or control one or more characteristicsof the charge or current applied to or injected into the battery/cell(via the charge pulses) and/or one or more characteristics of the chargeor current removed from the battery/cell (via the discharge pulses) sothe CPV of the battery, which is in response to a subsequent chargepacket, and/or the change in CPVs associated with two or more subsequentcharge packets is (i) less than a predetermined upper limit value, (ii)greater than a predetermined lower limit value and/or (iii) within apredetermined range during charging or recharging sequence, operation orcycle. In this way, the CPV of the battery/cell, in response tosubsequent packets, satisfies one or more of the aforementioned criteriaduring the charging sequence, cycle or operation. For example, theadaptive charging techniques and/or circuitry of the present inventionsmay adapt, adjust and/or control shape, amplitude and/or width of chargepulse(s) and the shape, amplitude and/or width of discharge pulse(s) ina manner so that (i) a CPV of the battery/cell, (ii) a change in CPV ofthe battery/cell are within predetermined range during the chargingsequence, cycle or operation. In addition thereto, or in lieu thereof,the adaptive charging techniques and/or circuitry of the presentinventions may adapt, adjust and/or control shape, amplitude and/orwidth of charge pulse(s) and discharge pulse(s) in a manner thatprovides (i) a CPV of the battery/cell due to the charge pulse(s) ofsubsequent packet(s) and/or (ii) a change in CPV of the battery/cellbetween a plurality of charge pulse(s) of the packet to be is less thana predetermined upper limit value, greater than a predetermined lowerlimit value and/or within a predetermined range during charging orrecharging sequence, operation or cycle. Thus, in those embodimentswhere the charge packet includes one or more charge and dischargepulses, the charging techniques and/or circuitry of the presentinventions may adapt, adjust and/or control one or more characteristicsof the charge and/or discharge to control the CPV of the battery/cell inresponse to subsequent packets.

Notably, the charging techniques and/or circuitry may adapt, adjustand/or control the characteristics of the charge or current applied toor injected into the battery/cell based on or using an averaged responseof the battery/cell in connection with (i) a plurality of pulses in thepacket and/or (ii) a plurality of packets. For example, where thepackets include a plurality of charge pulses and/or a plurality ofdischarge pulses, the charging techniques and/or circuitry may employ anaverage change in CPV in connection with the plurality of charge pulses.In this embodiment, the charging techniques and/or circuitry of thepresent inventions may adapt, adjust and/or control the characteristicsof the charge and discharge pulses applied to or injected into thebattery/cell during subsequent packets based on or using an averaged CPVresponse of the battery/cell to plurality of charge pulses and/or aplurality of discharge pulses. Thus, in one embodiment, the chargingtechniques and/or circuitry of the present inventions adapt, adjustand/or control the characteristics of one or more of the charge and/ordischarge pulses (of subsequent packets) applied to the battery/cellbased on or using the CPV and/or change in CPV of the battery/cellaveraged over a plurality of preceding packet (for example, theimmediately preceding) is less than a predetermined upper limit value,greater than a predetermined lower limit value and/or within apredetermined range during charging or recharging sequence, operation orcycle

In another embodiment, the charging techniques and/or circuitry of thepresent inventions may adapt, adjust and/or control the amount of chargeor current applied to or injected into the battery/cell by the packetsso that the CPV of the battery/cell and/or change CPV of thebattery/cell averaged over a plurality of charge packet meets thecriteria described above. Here, the charging techniques and/or circuitrymay adapt, adjust and/or control the characteristics of the chargeapplied to or injected into the battery/cell (via, for example,adapting, adjusting and/or controlling the shape, amplitude and/or widthof charge pulse(s)) when an average CPV and/or change in CPV of thebattery/cell in response to a plurality of charge packet is outside apredetermined range, less than a predetermined lower limit and/orgreater than a predetermined upper limit.

The charging techniques and/or circuitry of the present inventions mayemploy any form of averaging. For example, the charging techniquesand/or circuitry of the present inventions may average mutuallyexclusive groups of packets. Alternatively, the charging techniquesand/or circuitry may employ a “rolling” average technique wherein thetechniques and/or circuitry determine or calculate a “new” average CPVas a change in voltage at the terminals of the battery/cell, in responseto a charge packet.

The adaptive charging techniques and/or circuitry of the presentinventions may intermittently, continuously and/or periodically adapt,adjust and/or control characteristics of the charge or current appliedto or injected into the battery/cell in connection with maintaining thechange in CPV within a predetermined range. For example, in oneembodiment, the adaptive charging techniques and/or circuitryintermittently, continuously and/or periodically measure or monitor theCPV of the battery/cell (for example, measure or monitor the voltage ofthe battery/cell at the terminals thereof every Nth packet (where N=1 to10) and/or every 10-1000 ms). Based thereon or using such data, theadaptive charging techniques and/or circuitry may intermittently,continuously and/or periodically determine and/or adapt thecharacteristics of the charge or current injected into the battery/cell(or adapt the characteristics of the charge removed from thebattery/cell in those embodiments where a discharge current is employed)so that the CPV and/or change in CPV is within a predetermined range,less than a predetermined value and/or greater than a predeterminedlower limit (for example, determine and/or adapt the characteristics ofthe charge or current injected into the battery/cell every Nth packet(where N=1 to 10) and/or every 10-1000 ms). In one embodiment, theadaptive charging techniques and/or circuitry may intermittently,continuously and/or periodically determine the CPV of the battery/celland, in response thereto or based thereon, may intermittently,continuously and/or periodically determine an amplitude and duration ofsubsequent charge pulses to be applied to or injected into thebattery/cell (which, in one embodiment, may be charge pulses of theimmediately subsequent packet(s)) so that the CPV and/or change in CPVof the battery/cell due to such subsequent charge pulses satisfies oneor more of the aforementioned criteria.

Thus, adaptive charging techniques and/or circuitry of the presentinventions may (i) measure or monitor the terminal voltage of thebattery/cell on an intermittent, continuous and/or periodic basis, (ii)determine whether a CPV and/or a change in CPV (which is response tocharge pulses) is within a predetermined range, below a predeterminedvalue and/or above a predetermined value on an intermittent, continuousand/or periodic basis, and/or (iii) adapt, adjust and/or controlcharacteristics of the charge or current signals applied to or injectedinto the battery/cell (for example, amplitude of the applied charge orcurrent) so that the CPV and/or change in CPV of subsequent chargepulses and/or packets is within a predetermined range, less than apredetermined upper limit value, and/or greater than a predeterminedlower limit value on an intermittent, continuous and/or periodic basis.For example, adaptive charging techniques and/or circuitry of thepresent inventions may (i) monitor, measure and/or determine the CPV ofthe battery/cell at the terminals of the battery/cell every X packets(where X=1 to 10), (ii) determine, every Y packets (where Y=1 to 10),whether a CPV and/or change in CPV (which is in response to chargepulses) is within a predetermined range and/or below a predeterminedvalue, and/or (iii) adapt, adjust and/or control characteristics of thecharge or current signals applied to or injected into the battery/cell,every Z packets (where Z=1 to 10), so that the CPV and/or change in CPVmeets one or more of the aforementioned criteria. All permutations andcombinations are intended to fall within the scope of the presentinventions. Indeed, such embodiments are applicable to the chargingtechniques and/or circuitry which apply or inject (i) charge packetshaving one or more charge pulses and (ii) charge packets having one ormore charge pulses and one or more discharge pulses.

Notably, the predetermined range may be fixed or may change, forexample, over time, use and/or external operating conditions (forexample, external temperature). The predetermined range may change basedon one or more conditions or states of the battery/cell (for example,state of charge). In addition thereto, or in lieu thereof, thepredetermined range may change based on one or more responses of thebattery/cell to or during the charging process.

In one embodiment, the predetermined range is based on empirical data,test data, simulation data, theoretical data and/or a mathematicalrelationship. For example, based on empirical data, the adaptivecharging techniques and/or circuitry associated with a givenbattery/cell (for example, a certain series, manufacturing lot,chemistry and/or design) may determine, calculate and/or employ apredetermined range as well as changes therein. Again, such changes may(i) be fixed, (ii) based on one or more conditions or states of thebattery/cell, and/or (iii) based on one or more responses of thebattery/cell to or during the charging process.

In another embodiment, the predetermined range may change based on, forexample, a condition or state of the battery/cell and/or response of thebattery/cell to the charging processes. For example, the predeterminedrange may depend on one or more parameters of the battery/cellincluding, for example, the state of charge (SOC) and/or state of health(SOH) of the battery. Here, the circuitry and/or techniques of thepresent inventions may adjust, change and/or adapt the predeterminedrange employed to determine whether a change in a CPV of thebattery/cell (which is response to charge pulses) is within apredetermined range and/or below a predetermined value based on or usingdata which is representative of the SOC of the battery/cell and/or SOHof the battery/cell.

Notably, the SOC of a battery/cell, for example, a lithium-ionrechargeable battery/cell, is a parameter that is representative ofand/or indicates the level of electrical charge available in thebattery/cell. It may be characterized as a percentage of the nominalfull charge rating of the battery/cell, wherein a 100% SOC indicatesthat a battery/cell is fully charged and a 0% indicates that thebattery/cell is fully discharged. The SOC of the battery/cell may alsobe characterized as an available charge stored in the battery/cellrelative to a maximum available charge stored in thebattery/cell—wherein the maximum available charge may change over timeas, for example, the battery/cell ages or deteriorates. As indicatedherein, changes in the operating conditions may impact the battery/cell.For example, changes in temperature of the battery/cell may impact amaximum amount of charge the battery/cell is capable of storing and/orthe maximum available charge from the battery/cell (hereinaftercollectively, Q_(max)). For example, it is known that Q_(max) decreaseswith lower temperature. Moreover, as discussed in detail below, suchoperating conditions and changes in temperature may impact one or moreof the predetermined values and/or ranges associated with the CPV orchanges in the CPV of the battery/cell.

The SOH of a rechargeable battery/cell (for example, a rechargeablelithium-ion battery/cell, is a parameter that describes, characterizesand/or is representative of the “age” of the battery/cell, thedegradation levels of the battery/cell and/or an ability of thebattery/cell to hold charge, for example, relative to a given time inoperation (for example, the initial time in operation). The CPV of thebattery/cell which is responsive to a given charge pulse and for a givenSOC changes as the SOH changes—and, hence the voltage curves of thebattery/cell tend to shift as the battery/cell ages and as thebattery/cell SOH deteriorates.

In one embodiment, based on or using initialization, characterizationand/or calibration data, the adaptive charging techniques and/orcircuitry of the present inventions may calculate or determine aninitial predetermined range or set of predetermined ranges for theparticular battery/cell. For example, in one embodiment, based on orusing (i) initialization, characterization and/or calibration data and(ii) empirical data, test data, simulation data, theoretical data and/ora mathematical relationship, the adaptive charging techniques and/orcircuitry of the present inventions may calculate or determine one ormore predetermined ranges for a particular or associated battery/cell.Indeed, in one embodiment, the adaptive charging techniques and/orcircuitry of the present inventions, based on or using (i)initialization, characterization and/or calibration data and (ii)empirical data, test data, simulation data, theoretical data and/or amathematical relationship, may calculate or determine a pattern orrelationship of the change of the predetermined range over time/use (forexample, (i) change based on one or more conditions or states of thebattery/cell, (ii) change based on one or more responses of thebattery/cell to or during the charging processes).

Determination or calculation of a predetermined range or set ofpredetermined ranges may also employ data which is representative of aseries, manufacturing lot, chemistry and/or design of the battery/cell.In one embodiment, based on empirical data, test data, simulation data,theoretical data and/or a mathematical relationship in conjunction withdata which is representative of a series, manufacturing lot, chemistryand/or design of the battery/cell, one or more predetermined rangestime/use may be determined or calculated. In addition, one or morechanges to such predetermined ranges (which may be based on one or moreconditions or states of the battery/cell and/or responses of thebattery/cell to or during the charging processes) may be determined orcalculated. In yet another embodiment, a predetermined range or set ofpredetermined ranges may be determined or calculated for a givenbattery/cell based on or using (i) the battery/cell response to aninitialization, characterization and/or calibration signals or sequence,and (ii) empirical data, which may, for example, be developed based on acertain series, manufacturing lot, chemistry and/or design. Notably,data which is representative of a predetermined range or set ofpredetermined ranges may be stored in memory, coupled to thebattery/cell, for use by the adaptive charging techniques and/orcircuitry of the present inventions.

In another embodiment, an initial predetermined upper limit value,predetermined lower limit value and/or predetermined range or set ofpredetermined ranges for a particular battery/cell may be based on orusing initialization, characterization or calibration data of thebattery/cell. The initialization, characterization and/or calibrationdata may be representative of the response of the battery/cell to acharacterization sequence. In one embodiment, the characterizationsequence may apply charge signals to the battery/cell. Thereafter, theadaptive charging techniques and/or circuitry may evaluate the responseto such signals by the battery/cell—including determining and/ormeasuring the CPV of a battery/cell over the SOC of the battery/cell(which may be the actual battery/cell or a representative thereof).Based thereon, the adaptive charging techniques and/or circuitry maycalculate or determine predetermined values and ranges for theparticular battery/cell. Such initialization, characterization orcalibration data may be obtained, acquired and/or determined, forexample, at manufacture, test or calibration which may include thecharacterization sequence to obtain “unique” data regarding a givenbattery/cell.

Briefly, the initialization, characterization or calibration sequencesmay seek to establish values for certain of the predetermined limits andranges discussed herein. In one embodiment, the initialization,characterization or calibration sequences measure the change in terminalvoltage in response to charge and/or discharge packets (having chargeand/or discharge pulses) for new cells/batteries over the full range ofSOC. In a second embodiment, these values are used to cyclecells/batteries, and correlation data or tables are generated tocorrelate these change in terminal voltage with the capacity fade of thecells/batteries, and consequently with cycle life. Different values maybe used on different cells to create more complete correlationrelationships between changes in terminal voltage values or ranges andcapacity fade. Additionally, the change in terminal voltage values orranges may be correlated using physical models to the transport oflithium-ions, such as solving Fick's law and current transport lawwithin the battery/cell.

Notably, the predetermined values and/or ranges may be calculated ordetermined by the adaptive circuitry and/or processes of the presentinventions or by other circuitry and processes (for example, circuitrywhich is “off-device”, “off-chip” or separate from the circuitry of thepresent inventions). The predetermined values and/or ranges may bestored in memory (for example, in a database or look-up table) duringmanufacture, test or calibration, and accessible to the adaptivecircuitry and/or processes of the present inventions during operation.

As noted herein, the predetermined values and/or ranges may changerelative to initial predetermined ranges in a predetermined manner (forexample, in a fixed relationship over time/use—which may be based on orusing empirical data, test data, simulation data, theoretical dataand/or a mathematical relationship). In addition thereto, or in lieuthereof, such predetermined ranges may depend on considerations such asthe state or status of one or more parameters of the battery/cellincluding, for example, the SOC, the SOH and/or temperature of thebattery/cell. Notably, where one of such parameters is temperature, thesystem may include a temperature sensor (thermally coupled to thebattery/cell) to provide data which is representative of the temperatureof the battery/cell.

For example, in one embodiment, the predetermined ranges depend on theSOC of the battery/cell. In this regard, the adaptive charging circuitryand techniques may apply or inject a higher current or charge into thebattery/cell when the SOC of the battery/cell is low and a lower currentor charge when the SOC of the battery/cell is high. Here, when anelectrical current charges a lithium-ion cell, lithium ions move fromthe cathode across the electrolyte and diffuse into the grains of theanode. Thus, at a low SOC, the diffusion rate of lithium ions into theanode can be faster than the diffusion rate at a high SOC. Thedifference in diffusion rate can vary substantially. Additionally, itmay be beneficial to use a higher charging current when the impedance(in particular, the real part thereof, which is representative of theresistance that the battery/cell exhibits to an applied electricalcurrent) is low and a lower charging current when the impedance is high.Therefore, in one embodiment, the adaptive charging algorithm ortechnique tailors, changes and/or adjusts the charging current tocontrol, manage and/or reduce the CPV and/or change in CPV in responseto such charging current.

Notably, as the charging techniques and/or circuitry adapts, adjustsand/or controls one or more characteristics of the charge or currentapplied to or injected into the battery/cell so that the change in CPVof the battery/cell in response to subsequent charging is within apredetermined range and/or below a predetermined value may impact thenet effective charge rate. That is, the net effective charge rate may beadjusted and/or controlled by way of adjusting and/or controlling one ormore characteristics of the charge or charging signal during a givencharging period including, for example, the amplitude of the currentcharge or charging signal, the shape of the charge or charging signal(for example, triangular, rectangular, sawtooth and/or square waves),the duration or width of the current charge or charging signal, thefrequency of the charge or charging signal and/or the duty cycle of thecharge or charging signal. However, the charging techniques and/orcircuitry may calculate, determine and/or estimate a peak amplitudeand/or duration of the current pulse(s) (for a given pulse shape—forexample, rectangular, triangle, sinusoidal or square current pulses) andresponsively control the charging to minimize and/or reduce the temporalduration of the overall charge sequence, cycle or operation. Indeed, thecharging techniques and/or circuitry may apply or inject less than amaximum charge (without the responsive terminal voltage of thebattery/cell attaining predetermined range) into the battery/cell duringone or more portions of the charging sequence, cycle or operation. Underthis circumstance, the temporal duration of the overall chargingsequence, cycle or operation may likely increase.

The predetermined values and/or ranges may be stored in permanent,semi-permanent or temporary memory. In this regard, the memory may storedata, equations, relationships, database and/or look-up table in apermanent, semi-permanent or temporary (for example, untilre-programmed) memory of any kind or type (for example, EEPROM, Flash,DRAM and/or SRAM). Moreover, the memory may be discrete or resident on(i.e., integrated in) other circuitry of the present inventions (forexample, control circuitry). In one embodiment, the memory may beone-time programmable, and/or the data, equations, relationships,database and/or look-up table of the predetermined range(s) may bestored in a one-time programmable memory (for example, programmed duringtest or at manufacture). In another embodiment, the memory is more thanone-time programmable and, as such, the predetermined range(s) may beupdated, written, re-written and/or modified after initial storage (forexample, after test and/or manufacture) via external or internalcircuitry.

It should be noted that, in certain embodiments, two considerations inconnection with implementing the adaptive charging circuitry andtechniques of the present inventions are to:

-   -   i. Minimize and/or reduce total charging time: For practical        reasons, the battery/cell is charged within a given period of        time (for example, a maximum allowed period of time). Typically,        a specification value is defined or chosen depending on the        application; and    -   ii. Maximize and/or increase cycle life: To maximize and/or        increase cycle life of the battery/cell, here there is a        tendency to charge the battery/cell (i) at a low current        and/or (ii) provide rest periods between or in periods of        charging (for example, between charging signals or packets)        wherein no charge is applied to or injected into the        battery/cell.        Thus, in certain aspects, the charging circuitry of the present        inventions using the CPV and/or change in CPV of the        battery/cell implement adaptive techniques which seek to (i)        minimize and/or reduce total charging time of the battery/cell        and (ii) maximize and/or increase the cycle life of the        battery/cell (by, for example, minimizing and/or reducing        degradation mechanisms of the charging operation).

With reference to FIG. 1A, in one exemplary embodiment, adaptivecharging circuitry 10 for a battery/cell includes charging circuitry 12,monitoring circuitry 14 and control circuitry 16 which implements one ormore of the adaptive charging techniques described herein. Briefly, inone embodiment, charging circuitry 12 responsively applies one or morecurrent or charging signal to the battery/cell. (See, for example, FIGS.2A and 2B). The charging circuitry 12 may also apply one or morecharging signals (which provide a net input of charge or current intothe battery/cell) and one or more discharging signals (which provide anet removal of charge or current from the battery/cell). (See, forexample, FIGS. 2C and 2D).

The adaptive charging circuitry and techniques of the present inventionsmay employ any charging circuitry 12, whether described herein, nowknown or later developed, to charge the battery/cell; all such chargingcircuitry 12 are intended to fall within the scope of the presentinventions. For example, charging circuitry 12 of the present inventionsmay generate charging and discharging signals, packets and pulses (asdescribed herein). Notably, charging circuitry 12 is generallyresponsive to control signals from control circuitry 16.

Although discussed in more detail below, with reference to FIGS. 3A-3J,the charging and discharging signals may include a plurality of chargepackets wherein each charge packet includes one or more charge pulsesand, in certain embodiments, one or more discharge pulses. The chargingand discharging signals may also include one or more discharge packetswherein each discharge charge packet includes one or more dischargepulses. (See, FIGS. 3K-3N). Indeed, the charging and discharging signalsmay also include charge packets and one or more discharge packetswherein each charge packet and discharge packet includes one or morecharge pulses and/or one or more discharge pulses. (See, FIGS. 3K and3N).

With continued reference to FIG. 1A, monitoring circuitry 14 measures,monitors, senses, detects and/or samples (for example, on anintermittent, continuous and/or periodic basis) one or more conditionsor characteristics of the battery/cell including, for example, theterminal voltage of the battery/cell, to detect, measure and/ordetermine the CPV of the battery/cell. Notably, the adaptive chargingcircuitry and techniques of the present inventions may employ anymonitoring circuitry 14 and/or measuring or monitoring techniques,whether described herein, now known or later developed, to acquire suchdata; all such monitoring circuitry 14 and measuring or monitoringtechniques are intended to fall within the scope of the presentinventions. The monitoring circuitry 14 provides data which isrepresentative of the condition or characteristics of the battery/cellto control circuitry 16. Moreover, monitoring circuitry 14 may includeone or more temperature sensors (not illustrated) which is/are thermallycoupled to the battery/cell to generate, measure and/or provide datawhich is representative of the temperature of the battery/cell.

The control circuitry 16, using data from monitoring circuitry 14,calculates, determines and/or assesses one or more conditions and/orstates of the battery/cell, for example, in connection with or duringthe charging or recharging process. For example, control circuitry 16calculates, determines and/or estimates the CPV of the battery/cell (inresponse to a charge pulse) and/or a change in the CPV of thebattery/cell in response to a plurality of charge pulses (for example,sequential pulses or non-sequential pulses). Notably, control circuitry16 may also calculate, determine and/or estimate one, some or all of theSOC of the battery/cell, SOH of the battery/cell, partial relaxationtime of the battery/cell and/or overpotential or full relaxation time ofthe battery/cell as described in detail in, for example, PCT ApplicationSerial No. PCT/US2012/30618, “Method and Circuitry to Adaptively Chargea Battery/Cell Using the State of Health Thereof”, which is incorporatedherein by reference.

The control circuitry 16 also calculates, determines and/or implements acharging sequence or profile based on or using the CPV of thebattery/cell and one or more of the adaptive charging techniques andalgorithms described herein. In this regard, control circuitry 16adapts, adjusts and/or controls one or more characteristics of thecharge or current applied to or injected into the battery/cell (viacontrolling the operation of charging circuitry 12) so that a CPV of thebattery/cell (in response to a charge pulse applied to or injected intothe battery/cell during a charging or recharging sequence/operation)and/or a change in CPV of the battery/cell is within a predeterminedrange and/or less than a predetermined upper limit value and/or greaterthan a predetermined lower limit value. In one embodiment, wherecharging circuitry 12 applies charge packets (each having at least onecharge pulse) to the battery/cell, control circuitry 16 (implementing,for example, one or more of the inventive adaptive charging techniquesdescribed herein) adapts, adjusts and/or controls the characteristics ofthe charge packets applied to or injected into the battery/cell (viacontrolling charging circuitry 12) monitors a CPV of the battery/celland/or a change in CPV of the battery/cell. Where the CPV of thebattery/cell and/or the change in CPV of the battery/cell is not withina predetermined range and/or greater than a predetermined upper limitvalue and/or less than a predetermined lower limit value, the controlcircuitry instructs charging circuitry 12 to change the characteristicsof the charge or current applied to or injected into the battery/cellvia controlling the shape, amplitude and/or width of charge pulse(s). Inthis way, control circuitry 16 may, in one embodiment, adapt, adjustand/or control the charge or current applied to or injected into thebattery/cell (via controlling charging circuitry 12) so that a CPV ofthe battery/cell and/or a change in CPV of the battery/cell (in responseto charge or current pulse(s) applied to or injected into thebattery/cell during a charging or recharging sequence/operation) iswithin a predetermined range and/or less than a predetermined upperlimit value and/or greater than a predetermined lower limit value.

In another embodiment, charging circuitry 12 applies charge packets,having one or more charge pulses and one or more discharge pulses, tothe battery/cell during a charging or recharging sequence, operation orcycle. In this embodiment, control circuitry 16 may adapt, adjust and/orcontrol (i) the characteristics of charge pulses applied and/or (ii) thecharacteristics of the discharge pulse based on whether the CPV of thebattery/cell and/or a change in CPV of the battery/cell is within apredetermined range and/or less than a predetermined upper limit valueand/or greater than a predetermined lower limit value. Here again,control circuitry 16 (via control of charging circuitry 12) may adapt,adjust and/or control shape, amplitude and/or width of charge pulse(s)and the shape, amplitude and/or width of discharge pulse(s) in a mannerso that (i) the CPV of the battery/cell due to subsequent chargepulse(s) and/or (ii) a change in CPV of the battery/cell due to thesubsequent charge pulses are within predetermined ranges during thecharging sequence and/or less than a predetermined upper limit valueand/or greater than a predetermined lower limit value.

Notably, control circuitry 16 may include one or more processors, one ormore state machines, one or more gate arrays, programmable gate arraysand/or field programmable gate arrays, and/or a combination thereof.Indeed, control circuitry and monitoring circuitry may share circuitrywith each other as well as with other elements;

such circuitry may be distributed among a plurality of integratedcircuits which may also perform one or more other operations, which maybe separate and distinct from that described herein. Moreover, controlcircuitry 16 may perform or execute one or more applications, routines,programs and/or data structures that implement particular methods,techniques, tasks or operations described and illustrated herein. Thefunctionality of the applications, routines or programs may be combinedor distributed. In addition, the applications, routines or programs maybe implementing by control circuitry 16 using any programming languagewhether now known or later developed, including, for example, assembly,FORTRAN, C, C++, and BASIC, whether compiled or uncompiled code; all ofwhich are intended to fall within the scope of the present inventions.

In operation, charging circuitry 12 applies a charge or current to thebattery/cell. (See, for example, the exemplary charge waveforms of FIGS.2A-2D). The monitoring circuitry 14 measures or detects voltages at theterminals of the battery/cell to determine a CPV of the battery/cell inresponse to charge or current pulse(s) applied to or injected into thebattery/cell during a charging or recharging sequence/operation. In thisregard, in one embodiment, monitoring circuitry 14 measures the terminalvoltage of the battery/cell (for example, during and immediately afterterminating the charge pulse) to facilitate detecting and/or determiningthe CPV of the battery/cell. The control circuitry 16, using theterminal voltages measured by monitoring circuitry 14, determines and/ordetects (i) the CPV of the battery/cell and/or (ii) a change in CPV ofthe battery/cell. The control circuitry 14 also determines and/orassesses whether the CPV and/or change in CPV of the battery/cell iswithin a predetermined range, and/or less than a predetermined upperlimit value and/or greater than a predetermined lower limit value. Wherethe CPV of the battery/cell and/or change in CPV of the battery/cellsatisfies the criteria, in one embodiment, instructs charging circuitry12 to apply the same or similar charge packet to the battery/cell duringsubsequent charging. Where, however, the change in terminal voltage isoutside or exceeds the predetermined range (for example, is less thanthe predetermined lower limit or is greater than the predetermined upperlimit), control circuitry 16 adapts, adjusts and/or controls one or morecharacteristics of the charge or current applied to or injected into thebattery/cell (via charging circuitry 12) so the CPV and/or change in CPVof the battery/cell in response to subsequent charging (for example, theimmediately subsequent charge packet) is within a predetermined range,and/or less than a predetermined upper limit value and/or greater than apredetermined lower limit value. Here, control circuitry 16 implements,calculates and/or determines a change to one or more characteristics ofthe packet so that charge or current applied to or injected into thebattery/cell via subsequent charging provides a CPV and/or change in CPVof the battery/cell in response thereto satisfies the aforementionedcriteria.

Notably, the predetermined range, upper limit value and/or lower limitvalue may change, for example, according to a predetermined rate orpattern—for example, based on a particular battery/cell type ormanufacturer. Indeed, the predetermined range, upper limit value and/orlower limit value may change according to a SOC and/or SOH of thebattery/cell (which may be measured, determined and/or estimated).

In particular, with reference to FIGS. 1A and 4A, in one embodiment,monitoring circuitry 14 measures, samples and/or determines the terminalvoltage response to the charge pulse and provides data which isrepresentative of a CPV₁, which correlates to a peak voltage, measuredat the terminals of the battery/cell, which is in response to anassociated charge pulse to control circuitry 16. Based on or using suchdata, control circuitry 16 (which, in one embodiment, includes a peakvoltage detector (for example, a digital or analog type detector))calculates, determines and/or estimates CPV₁ due to the associatedcharge pulse. The control circuitry 16 determines whether CPV₁ is withina predetermined range, greater than a predetermined upper limit valueand/or less than a predetermined lower limit value. (See, for example,FIGS. 5A-5F). Where control circuitry 16 calculates, determines and/orestimates the CPV₁ satisfies the aforementioned criteria, controlcircuitry 16 may maintain the characteristics of the previous chargepacket in connection with the immediately subsequent charge packet(although control circuitry 16 may indeed change such characteristics asa result of other considerations, such as, for example, considerationsmeasurements of relaxation time to partial equilibrium and/or SOC and/orSOH).

Where, however, control circuitry 16 determines the CPV₁ does notsatisfy one or more of the aforementioned criteria (i.e., within apredetermined range, greater than a predetermined upper limit valueand/or less than a predetermined lower limit value), control circuitry16 may change one or more characteristics of the charge packet includingthe shape, amplitude and/or width of charge pulse(s) to adapt, adjustand/or control the charge or current applied to or injected into thebattery/cell (via charging circuitry 12) so that the CPV of thebattery/cell in response to a subsequent charge pulse satisfies theaforementioned criteria. (See, for example, FIGS. 5A-5F). For example,where CPV of the battery/cell in response to one or more charge pulsesof a charge packet is greater than a predetermined upper limit value(see, for example, FIG. 6A), control circuitry 16 may decrease theamplitude and/or width of the charge pulse(s) to thereby inject lesscharge into the battery/cell in a subsequent packet (for example, theimmediately subsequent packet). Alternatively, where CPV of thebattery/cell in response to one or more charge pulses of a charge packetis less than a predetermined lower limit value (see, for example, FIG.6B), control circuitry 16 may increase the amplitude and/or width of thecharge pulse(s) to thereby inject more current or charge into thebattery/cell in a subsequent packet (for example, the immediatelysubsequent packet).

Notably, control circuitry 16 adapts the charge sequence via one or moremodifications to the charge pulse and/or charge packet—for example,where the CPV is less than the predetermined range, the controlcircuitry may increase the amplitude and decrease the width of thecharge pulse(s) to thereby inject the same amount of current or chargeinto the battery/cell in a subsequent packet (for example, theimmediately subsequent packet) but at a higher amplitude relative to theprevious packet/pulse. Similarly, where the CPV is greater than thepredetermined range, control circuitry 16 may decrease the amplitude andincrease the width of the charge pulse(s) to thereby inject the sameamount of current or charge into the battery/cell in a subsequent packet(for example, the immediately subsequent packet) but at a loweramplitude relative to the previous pulse. Indeed, with reference to FIG.7A, in one embodiment, control circuitry 16 may adapt, adjust and/orcontrol the amplitude and/or duration of the charge pulse as well as theduration of the rest period (T_(rest)). For example, in one embodiment,control circuitry 16, via charging circuitry 12, adjusts the amplitudeand duration of the charge pulse and the duration of the rest period(T_(rest)) to maintain a constant period of the charge packet(T_(packet)). Alternatively, control circuitry 16 may adapt, adjustand/or control the duration of the rest period (T_(rest)) to accommodateother considerations and parameters in relation to the response of thebattery/cell to charging (for example, overpotential or full relaxationtime (relative to full or complete equilibrium of the battery/cell)and/or relaxation time (to partial-equilibrium of the battery/cell)).(See, for example, application Ser. No. 13/366,352 “Method and Circuitryto Calculate the State of Charge of a Battery/Cell”, which isincorporated herein by reference).

In another embodiment, where the charge packet includes one or moredischarge pulses, control circuitry 16 may adapt, adjust and/or controlone or more characteristics of the charge pulse(s) and/or dischargepulse(s) (for example, the shape, amplitude and/or width of chargepulse(s) and/or discharge pulse(s)), via controlling charging circuitry12, to provide a CPV which satisfies the aforementioned criteria (i.e.,within a predetermined range, less than a predetermined upper limitvalue and/or greater than a predetermined lower limit value). Withreference to FIG. 7B, control circuitry 16 may change thecharacteristics of the pulse(s) while maintaining an amount of currentinjected into the battery/cell and/or an amount of charge or currentremoved from the battery/cell constant or substantially constantrelative to immediately subsequent packets. Alternatively, controlcircuitry 16 may change the characteristics of the pulse(s) and changean amount of charge or current applied to or injected into thebattery/cell and/or an amount of charge or current removed from thebattery/cell so that the change in voltage in response to subsequentpacket(s) is within one or more predetermined ranges and/or below one ormore predetermined values.

As such, in this embodiment, control circuitry 16 may adapt, adjustand/or control shape, amplitude and/or width of charge pulse(s) and theshape, amplitude and/or width of discharge pulse(s) (via controllingcharging circuitry 12) in a manner so that the CPV of the charge pulseof the charge packet is within a predetermined range, less than apredetermined upper limit value and/or greater than a predeterminedlower limit value. In addition, control circuitry 16 may control theduration of one or both of the rest periods (T_(inter) and T_(rest)). Inone embodiment, control circuitry 16, via charging circuitry 12, adjuststhe amplitude and width of the charge and/or discharge pulses andduration of one or both of the rest periods (T_(inter) and T_(rest)) tomaintain a constant period of the charge packet (T_(packet)).Alternatively, control circuitry 16 may adapt, adjust and/or control theamplitude and/or duration of the charge and/or discharge pulses inrelation to the change in CPV of the battery/cell as well as adapt,adjust and/or control the duration of one or both of the rest periods(T_(inter) and T_(rest)) to, for example, accommodate otherconsiderations and parameters in relation to the response of thebattery/cell to charging (for example, overpotential or full relaxationtime (relative to full or complete equilibrium of the battery/cell)and/or relaxation time (to partial-equilibrium of the battery/cell)).(See, for example, application Ser. No. 13/366,352 “Method and Circuitryto Calculate the State of Charge of a Battery/Cell”).

In addition to consideration of the CPV of the battery/cell, or in lieuthereof, the control circuitry may employ a change in CPV in relation toa plurality of charge pulses to determine whether to adapt, modifyand/or change the charge sequence, cycle or operation. In this regard,with reference to FIG. 1A and FIGS. 4A and 4B, monitoring circuitry 14may measure, sample and/or determine the terminal voltage of thebattery/cell in response to the plurality of charge pulses—including theCPV of associated charge pulses. Based on or using such data, controlcircuitry 16 (which, as noted above, may include a peak voltage detector(which may be a digital or analog type detector)) calculates, determinesand/or estimates CPV₁ responsive to an associated first charge pulse(CP₁) and CPV₂ responsive to an associated second charge pulse (CP₂).The control circuitry 16 determines whether a change in CPV is within apredetermined range, greater than a predetermined upper limit valueand/or less than a predetermined lower limit value. (See, for example,FIGS. 5A-5F). Where control circuitry 16 calculates, determines and/orestimates the change in CPV satisfies the aforementioned criteria,control circuitry 16 may maintain the characteristics of the previouscharge packets in connection with the immediately subsequent chargepackets (although control circuitry 16 may indeed change suchcharacteristics as a result of other considerations, such as, forexample, considerations measurements of relaxation time to partialequilibrium and/or SOC and/or SOH). Where, however, control circuitry 16calculates, determines and/or estimates the change in CPV does notsatisfy one or more of the aforementioned criteria, control circuitry 16may adapt, adjust and/or control the charge as described herein inconnection with charge packets. That is, control circuitry 16 adjuststhe characteristics of the charge pulse(s) to control, adjust and/orprovide a change in CPV, in response to charge pulses of subsequentcharge packets, which is within a predetermined range, and/or less thana predetermined upper limit value and/or greater than a predeterminedlower limit value.

Notably, the control circuitry may calculate, determine and/or estimatea change in CPV using CPVs of (i) associated charge pulses of sequentialcharge packets (see, for example, FIGS. 4A and 4B) and/or (ii)associated charge pulses of non-sequential charge packets (see, forexample, FIGS. 4C and 4D). Moreover, as noted above, the controlcircuitry may consider a CPV (absolute CPV evaluation) as well as achange in CPV (relative CPV evaluation) when determining whether toadapt, adjust and/or control the charge injected into or applied to thebattery/cell in connection with charge sequence, cycle or operation.

As mentioned herein, control circuitry 16 may adapt, adjust and/orcontrol the characteristics of subsequent charge or current applied toor injected into the battery/cell based on or using an averaged responseof the battery/cell in connection with a plurality of pulses in thepacket and/or a plurality of packets. For example, control circuitry 16may adapt, adjust and/or control the shape, amplitude and/or width ofcharge pulse(s) generated by charging circuitry 12 and applied to thebattery/cell by charge packets so that the average change in CPV inconnection with the plurality of charge pulses over a plurality ofcharge packet is within a predetermined range and/or less than apredetermined upper limit value and/or greater than a predeterminedlower limit value. Similarly, the charging techniques and/or circuitryof the present inventions may adapt, adjust and/or control the charge orcurrent applied to or injected into the battery/cell by a plurality ofcharge pulses of a packet so that the change in CPV of the battery/cellaveraged over a plurality of charge pulses of the packet satisfies theaforementioned criteria.

The control circuitry 16 may employ any form of averaging now known orlater developed; all of which are intended to fall within the scope ofthe present inventions. For example, control circuitry 16 may employdiscrete or mutually exclusive groups of packets or “rolling” averageswherein the charging techniques and/or circuitry determine or calculatea “new” average as a CPV of the battery/cell and/or a change in CPV, inresponse to a charge packet. Again, all forms of averaging and averagingtechniques are intended to fall within the scope of the presentinventions.

Notably, the discussion with respect to the charge packets is applicableto control of the pulses of a discharge packet. In this regard, controlcircuitry 16 may adapt, adjust and/or control one or morecharacteristics of the discharge packets so that the CPV of thebattery/cell in response to a charge pulse of a discharge packet iswithin a predetermined range and/or below a predetermined upper limitvalue and/or above a predetermined lower limit value. As mentionedherein, the discharge packets include one or more discharge pulses (see,for example, FIGS. 3K-3N) as well as one or more charge pulses inaddition to the discharge pulse(s) (see, for example, 3K, 3M and 3N).

Briefly, in operation, similar to the charge packets, monitoringcircuitry 14 measures, samples and/or determines the CPV of thebattery/cell in response to a charge pulse of a discharge packet andprovides data which is representative thereof to control circuitry 16,which determines the CPV of the battery/cell in response to theassociated charge pulse of the discharge packet. The operation is thesame to that described herein in connection with a charge packet. Forthe sake of brevity, such discussion will not be repeated.

Notably, the predetermined range, upper limit value and/or lower limitvalue may be fixed or may change or be adjusted, for example, over timeor use and/or based on one or more conditions or states of thebattery/cell (for example, SOC and/or SOH) and/or responses of thebattery/cell to or during charging. In one embodiment, the predeterminedrange is based on empirical data, test data, simulation data,theoretical data and/or a mathematical relationship. For example, basedon empirical data, control circuitry 16 associated with the battery/cellmay determine, calculate and/or employ predetermined ranges based on oneor more conditions or states of the battery/cell (for example, the SOCand/or SOH of the battery/cell) and/or responses of the battery/cell toor during charging. Such predetermined range, upper limit value and/orlower limit value may be fixed (for example, conform to a fixed orpredetermined pattern) or may be variable.

In one embodiment, the changes in the predetermined range, upper limitvalue and/or lower limit value may be based on one or more conditions orstates of the battery/cell and/or responses of the battery/cell to orduring the charging process. For example, the predetermined ranges maychange and/or adapt based on or according to one or more parameters ofthe battery/cell including, for example, the SOC, the SOH, overpotentialor full relaxation time (relative to full or complete equilibrium of thebattery/cell) and/or relaxation time (to partial-equilibrium of thebattery/cell). Indeed, in one embodiment, where the battery/cell is atypical rechargeable lithium-ion (Li+) battery/cell employing aconventional chemistry, design and materials, a predetermined range,upper limit value and/or lower limit value may be dependent on the SOCof the battery/cell—for example, the predetermined range, upper limitvalue and/or lower limit value may change in accordance with a SOC (forexample, a first set of criteria when the SOC is between 0-10%, (ii) asecond set of criteria when the SOC is between 10-20%, (iii) a firstthird of criteria when the SOC is between 20-30%, (iv) a fourth set ofcriteria when the SOC is between 30-50%, (v) a fifth set of criteriawhen the SOC is between 50-60%, (vi) a sixth set of criteria when theSOC is between 60-70%, (vii) a seventh set of criteria when the SOC isbetween 70-80%, (viii) an eighth set of criteria when the SOC is between80-90%, (ix) a ninth set of criteria when the SOC is between 90-100%).

Thus, in one embodiment, control circuitry 16 may calculate, determineand/or employ one or more predetermined ranges, upper limit valuesand/or lower limit values based on the status or state of thebattery/cell (for example, based on or using data which isrepresentative of the SOC of the battery/cell, the SOH of thebattery/cell, overpotential and/or relaxation time). That is, thepredetermined range, upper limit value and/or lower limit value employedby control circuitry 16 and upon which the change in CPV of thebattery/cell is evaluated, may depend on status or state of thebattery/cell, for example, the SOC of the battery/cell and the SOH ofthe battery/cell.

In one embodiment, based on or using initialization, characterizationand/or calibration data, control circuitry 16 or external circuitry maycalculate or determine an initial set of predetermined ranges, upperlimit values and/or lower limit values for the particular battery/cell.For example, in one embodiment, based on or using (i) initialization,characterization and/or calibration data and (ii) empirical data, testdata, simulation data, theoretical data and/or a mathematicalrelationship, control circuitry 16 or external circuitry may calculateor determine a set of criteria for a particular or associatedbattery/cell. Such predetermined range, upper limit value and/or lowerlimit value may be based on one or more states of the battery/cell (forexample, SOC of the battery). The control circuitry may adaptivelyadjust the predetermined ranges, upper limit values and/or lower limitvalues over the life or use of the battery/cell—for example, based onthe changing conditions of the battery/cell (for example, a measured SOHof the battery/cell).

Notably, a set of predetermined ranges, upper limit values and/or lowerlimit values may be calculated or determined by control circuitry 16 orby circuitry other than control circuitry 16 (for example, circuitrywhich is “off-device” or “off-chip” relative to control circuitry 16).The predetermined ranges may be stored in memory (for example, in adatabase or look-up table) during manufacture, test or calibration, andaccessible to the adaptive circuitry and/or processes of the presentinventions during operation.

In one embodiment, a set of predetermined ranges, upper limit valuesand/or lower limit values (based on, for example, SOC of the battery)may be calculated or determined and stored in memory (for example,during manufacture, test or calibration).

Thereafter, the control circuitry may adjust or adapt the set of rangesand limits based on the condition of the battery/cell—for example, theSOH of the battery/cell. Alternatively, the memory may store multiplesets of predetermined ranges and limits (for example, in a look-up tableor matrix) and control circuitry 16 employs a given predetermined rangeand/or limit(s) based on one or more conditions of thebattery/cell—including SOC and SOH of the battery/cell. Thus, in thisembodiment, the predetermined ranges and limits employed by controlcircuitry 16 depends on the SOH of the battery/cell, which designates or“identifies” a set of predetermined ranges and limits, and the SOC ofthe battery/cell which designates or “identifies” the particularpredetermined range and limit(s) within the set of predetermined rangesand limits. In these embodiments, the control circuitry adapts thecontrol of the charging process based on or in response to a degradingSOH of the battery/cell. The set of predetermined ranges and/or limitsor the particular predetermined range/limit may also be depend on otherconsiderations such as the state or status of other parameters of thebattery/cell including, for example, the overpotential, relaxation timeand/or temperature of the battery/cell (for example, in one embodiment,the predetermined ranges may increase with an increase in temperature ofthe battery/cell).

The predetermined ranges and limit(s) may be stored in any memory nowknown or later developed; all of which are intended to fall within thescope of the present inventions. For example, the memory may be apermanent, semi-permanent or temporary memory (for example, untilre-programmed). In one embodiment, the memory may be one-timeprogrammable, and/or the data, equations, relationships, database and/orlook-up table of the predetermined range(s) may be stored in a one-timeprogrammable memory (for example, programmed during test or atmanufacture). In another embodiment, the memory is more than one-timeprogrammable and, as such, the predetermined range(s) and/or limit(s)may be updated, written, re-written and/or modified after initialstorage (for example, after test and/or manufacture) via external orinternal circuitry.

With reference to FIGS. 1A-1C, memory 18 may be integrated or embeddedin other circuitry (for example, control circuitry 16) and/or discrete.The memory 18 may be of any kind or type (for example, EEPROM, Flash,DRAM and/or SRAM). The memory 18 may store data which is representativeof the predetermined ranges/limit(s), equations, and relationships. Suchdata may be contained in a database and/or look-up table.

Thus, in one embodiment, a correlation of the CPV and/or change in CPVto the SOC of the battery/cell may be based on empirical data, testdata, simulation data, theoretical data and/or a mathematicalrelationship. For example, based on empirical data, the circuitryassociated with a given battery/cell (for example, a certain series,manufacturing lot, chemistry and/or design) may determine, calculateand/or employ a predetermined correlation. In another embodiment, basedon or using initialization, characterization and/or calibration data,control circuitry or circuitry external to the system may calculate ordetermine a correlation of a measured CPV and/or change in

CPV to the SOC of the battery/cell. In one embodiment, for example,based on or using (i) initialization, characterization and/orcalibration data and (ii) empirical data, test data, simulation data,theoretical data and/or a mathematical relationship, the controlcircuitry (or external circuitry) may calculate, estimate or determine acorrelation of a measured CPV and/or change in CPV to the SOC for aparticular or associated battery/cell. Indeed, in one embodiment, thecontrol circuitry may adaptively adjust the correlation of a measuredCPV and/or change in CPV to the SOC over the life or use of thebattery/cell—for example, based on the changing conditions of thebattery/cell (for example, a measured SOH of the battery/cell).

In another embodiment, an initial predetermined CPV range/limits or setof predetermined CPV ranges/limits for a particular battery/cell may bebased on or using initialization, characterization or calibration dataof the battery/cell. The initialization, characterization and/orcalibration data may be representative of the response of thebattery/cell to a characterization sequence. In one embodiment, thecharacterization sequence may apply charge signals to the battery/cell.Thereafter, the adaptive charging techniques and/or circuitry mayevaluate the response to such signals by the battery/cell (including theCPV and/or change in CPV of the battery/cell). Based thereon, theadaptive charging techniques and/or circuitry may calculate or determinepredetermined overpotential ranges for the particular battery/cell. Suchinitialization, characterization or calibration data may be obtained,acquired and/or determined, for example, at manufacture, test orcalibration which may include the characterization sequence to obtain“unique” data regarding a given battery/cell.

As noted herein, in certain embodiments, two considerations inconnection with implementing the adaptive charging circuitry andtechniques of the present inventions include (i) minimizing and/orreducing total charging time and (ii) maximizing and/or increasing cyclelife. Under certain circumstances, it is desirable to charge thebattery/cell at the slowest possible charge rate in order to extend itscycle life. For practical reasons, however, the user may desire tocharge the battery/cell within a given period of time (for example, amaximum allowed period of time). Typically, a specification value isdefined, selected and/or chosen depending on the application of thebattery/cell. For example, it is approximately 2 to 4 hours forconventional batteries employed in consumer applications, and forconventional batteries employed in transportation applications, it maybe up to 8 hours. This results in a specification for a net effectivecharging current. Moreover, to maximize and/or increase cycle life ofthe battery/cell, it may be desirable to charge the battery/cell (i) ata low current and/or (ii) provide relaxation or rest periods betweencharging periods. Thus, in certain aspects, the charging circuitry ofthe present inventions implement adaptive techniques which seek to (i)minimize and/or reduce total charging time of the battery/cell and (ii)maximize and/or increase the cycle life of the battery/cell (by, forexample, minimizing and/or reducing degradation mechanisms of thecharging operation).

There are many inventions described and illustrated herein. Whilecertain embodiments, features, attributes and advantages of theinventions have been described and illustrated, it should be understoodthat many others, as well as different and/or similar embodiments,features, attributes and advantages of the present inventions, areapparent from the description and illustrations. As such, theembodiments, features, attributes and advantages of the inventionsdescribed and illustrated herein are not exhaustive and it should beunderstood that such other, similar, as well as different, embodiments,features, attributes and advantages of the present inventions are withinthe scope of the present inventions. Indeed, the present inventions areneither limited to any single aspect nor embodiment thereof, nor to anycombinations and/or permutations of such aspects and/or embodiments.Moreover, each of the aspects of the present inventions, and/orembodiments thereof, may be employed alone or in combination with one ormore of the other aspects of the present inventions and/or embodimentsthereof.

For example, the adaptive charging techniques and circuitry of thepresent inventions may monitor and/or determine one or more (or all) ofthe parameters discussed herein (including, for example, (i) CPV (and/orchange in CPV) in response to one or more charge pulses, (ii) partialrelaxation time, (iii) SOC of the battery/cell, (iv) full relaxationtime or overpotential and/or (v) SOH (or changes therein) of thebattery/cell) and responsively adapt the characteristics of the chargingsequence (for example, the amount of charge, length and relativelocation of rest periods, the amplitude of the charging signals, theduration or width of the charge or charging signals and/or shape of thecharging signals) to control one or more (or all) of such parameters.The present inventions are neither limited to any combination and/orpermutation of such monitoring and/or adaptation. Indeed, the controlcircuitry may employ such techniques and/or control such parameters inany combination; all combinations or permutations thereof are intendedto fall within the scope of the present inventions.

For example, in one embodiment, the control circuitry, using the stateor status of one or more (or all) of the aforementioned parameters whichare determined at differing rates, adapts, adjusts and/or controls thecharacteristics of the charge injected into the battery/cell (viacontrolling, for example, the shape, amplitude and/or duration of thecurrent signal output by the charging circuitry). With reference to FIG.8A-8E, the control circuitry may implement one or more adaptation loopsto determine whether to adapt, adjust and/or control the characteristicsof the charge injected into the battery/cell (via control of thecharging circuitry). For example, the control circuitry may employ afirst adaption loop which monitors and/or determines a CPV (or change inCPV) in response to one or more charge pulses (of, for example, one ormore packets) and/or the partial relaxation time to responsively adaptthe characteristics of the charging sequence. (See, for example, FIG.9A). Here, the control circuitry may monitor and/or determine theparameters of the first loop and/or responsively adapt thecharacteristics of the charging sequence based on or using theparameters of the first loop at a first rate (for example, onapplication of a charge pulse or a number of charge pulses).

In addition thereto, or in lieu thereof, the control circuitry mayemploy a second adaption loop which determines or estimates the SOC ofthe battery/cell and/or the full relaxation time or overpotential toresponsively adapt the characteristics of the charging sequence. (See,for example, FIG. 9B). Here, the control circuitry may monitor and/ordetermine or estimate the parameters of the second loop and/orresponsively adapt the characteristics of the charging sequence based onor using the parameters of the second loop at a second rate (which isless than the first rate—for example, 1 to 1000 seconds).

The control circuitry may, in addition thereto or in lieu thereof,employ a third adaption loop which determines or estimates the SOH (orchanges therein) of the battery/cell to responsively adapt thecharacteristics of the charging sequence. (See, for example, FIG. 9C).Here, the control circuitry may monitor and/or determine or estimate theparameter of the third loop and/or responsively adapt thecharacteristics of the charging sequence based on or using the parameterof the third loop at a third rate (which is less than the first andsecond rates—for example, after a predetermined number of charge and/ordischarge cycles (for example, 1-10 charge and/or discharge cycles)).

Notably, the control circuitry may, in addition thereto or in lieuthereof, employ a fourth adaption loop which determines or estimates thetemperature (or changes therein) of the battery/cell during charging toresponsively adapt the characteristics of the charging sequence. (See,for example, FIG. 9D). Here, the control circuitry may monitor and/ordetermine or estimate the temperature of the battery/cell and/orresponsively adapt the characteristics of the charging sequence based onor using the temperature of the battery/cell at a fourth rate (which isdifferent from the first, second and/or third rates—for example, every 5minutes and/or during a SOC determination or estimation).

With reference to FIG. 8E, the control circuitry may implement atechnique that includes N adaption loops (where N is a naturalnumber—i.e., 1, 2, . . . ) wherein the control circuitry determines orestimates the parameters associated with each loop and/or responsivelyadapt the characteristics of the charging sequence based on or using theassociated parameter of each loop at a corresponding rate. Notably, ineach of the above embodiments, the monitoring circuitry may monitor thestate, parameters and/or characteristics of the battery/cell (forexample, terminal voltage) in accordance with the aforementioned ratesand/or continuously, intermittently and/or periodically.

Thus, the adaptive charging techniques and circuitry of the presentinventions may implement one or more adaption loops each based on one ormore different parameters. The present inventions are neither limited toany combination and/or permutation of such adaptation loops. Indeed, thecontrol circuitry may employ such adaption loops alone/separately or inany combination; all combinations or permutations thereof are intendedto fall within the scope of the present inventions.

The rate at which the control circuitry implements an adaption loop maybe temporally based and/or event based. For example, the controlcircuitry may estimate, calculate, measure and/or determine the SOC orSOH (and/or changes therein) based on one or more events and/or chargingresponse characteristics (for example, the charge retained and/orprovided battery/cell is “inconsistent” with the SOC or SOH data and/orthere is an “inconsistency” between the SOC, SOH, relaxation time and/orthe voltage at the terminals of the battery/cell during charging). Thatis, in one embodiment, in response to detecting one or more events (forexample, a beginning or initiation of a charging sequence/cycle) and/or“triggerable” charging response characteristics (due to, for example, an“inconsistency” between the battery/cell charge response characteristicsor parameters which suggests, for example, the SOH (which may be storedin memory) may not be as estimated or determined), the control circuitryestimates, calculates, measures and/or determines the SOH (and/orchanges therein) of a battery/cell and adapts, adjusts and/or controlsthe amount of charge injected into the battery/cell based on or usingSOH (and/or changes therein) of the battery/cell.

Further, although several of the exemplary embodiments are describedand/or illustrated in the context of circuitry and/or techniques for alithium ion technology/chemistry based battery/cell (for example,lithium-cobalt dioxide, lithium-manganese dioxide, lithium-ironphosphate, and lithium-iron disulfide), the inventions described and/orillustrated herein may also be implemented in conjunction with otherelectrolyte battery chemistries/technologies including, for example,nickel-cadmium and other nickel metal hydride chemistries/technologies.As such, the embodiments set forth in the context of lithium ion basedbatteries/cells are merely exemplary; and other electrolyte batterychemistries/technologies, implementing one or more of the features ofthe present inventions as described herein, are intended to fall withinthe scope of the present inventions. It is to be understood that otherembodiments may be utilized and operational changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present inventions. Indeed, theforegoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the inventions hasbeen presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It isintended that the scope of the inventions not be limited solely to thedescription herein.

Further, as discussed herein, the control circuitry may intermittently,continuously and/or periodically estimate, calculate, measure and/ordetermine a CPV and/or change in CPV of the battery/cell in response toa charge pulse of a charge or discharge signal and/or packet. Inaddition thereto, the control circuitry may intermittently, continuouslyand/or periodically adapt, adjust and/or control the characteristics ofthe charge or discharge signal, packet and/or pulse (via controlling,for example, the shape, amplitude and/or duration of the signal outputof the charging circuitry) based on whether the CPV and/or a change inCPV of the battery/cell is within a predetermined range, less than apredetermined upper limit value and/or greater than a predeterminedlower limit value. Thus, in one embodiment, the adaptive chargingtechniques and/or circuitry intermittently, continuously and/orperiodically measure or monitor the CPV of the battery/cell. Basedthereon or using such data, the adaptive charging techniques and/orcircuitry may intermittently, continuously and/or periodically determineand/or adapt the subsequent charging and discharging of the battery/cellso that the CPV and/or change in CPV satisfies one or more of thepredetermined criteria. Accordingly, adaptive charging techniques and/orcircuitry of the present inventions may (i) measure or monitor theterminal voltage of the battery/cell on an intermittent, continuousand/or periodic basis, (ii) determine the CPV and/or change in CPV ofthe battery/cell (which is response to charge pulse(s)), (iii) determinewhether a CPV and/or change in CPV is within a predetermined rangeand/or satisfies the predetermined limits on an intermittent, continuousand/or periodic basis, and/or (iii) adapt, adjust and/or controlcharacteristics of the charge or current (for example, amplitude of theapplied charge or current) applied to or injected into the battery/cellso that the CPV and/or change in CPV satisfies the aforementionedcriteria on an intermittent, continuous and/or periodic basis. Allpermutations and combinations are intended to fall within the scope ofthe present inventions. Indeed, such embodiments are applicable to thecharging techniques and/or circuitry which apply or inject (i) chargepackets having one or more charge pulses and (ii) charge packets havingone or more charge pulses and one or more discharge pulses.

Moreover, in one embodiment, the exemplary charge and discharge signalsgenerated, output and/or applied by the current charging circuitry tothe battery/cell may be characterized as including a plurality ofpackets (for example, about 1,000 to about 50,000 packets—depending onthe initial SOC and the final SOC), wherein each packet includes aplurality of current pulses (for example, 1 to about 50 pulses in eachpacket). (See, FIG. 3A-3K and 5A wherein the illustrative exemplarypackets depict various characteristics (for example, a programmablenumber of pulses, pulse shapes, sequence, combination and/or spacing ofcharge and discharge pulses, pulse widths and/or duty cycles)). Thecharge pulses and discharge pulses may be any shape (for example,rectangular, triangle, sinusoidal or square). (See, for example, FIGS.10A-10D and 11A-11D). Moreover, the current or charge pulses may includecharging and discharging pulses (each having fixed, programmable and/orcontrollable shapes, pulse widths and/or duty cycles). (See, forexample, FIGS. 3C-3G).

In addition, the packets may also include one or more rest periodshaving programmable or controllable durations. That is, each packet mayinclude one or more rest periods wherein each rest period (if more thanone) having a programmable and/or controllable temporal width/duration.(See, for example, FIGS. 6A and 7A).

Notably, in one exemplary embodiment, the charge and/or discharge pulsesof the packet are square shaped including a temporal duration of betweenabout 1 ms and about 100 ms, and preferably less than 30 ms. (See, forexample, FIGS. 7A and 7B). This exemplary packet includes one or twocharge pulses and one discharge pulse (for example, 1:1, 2:1 and/or 3:2charge pulses to discharge pulses) wherein the amplitudes and dutycycles are programmable. (See, for example, FIGS. 7A and 7B). Further,in this exemplary embodiment, each packet includes one rest periodhaving a programmable and/or controllable temporal width/length. In oneexemplary embodiment, the intermediate rest period includes a temporallength or duration of between about 1 ms and about 20 ms. In addition,the rest period, in one exemplary embodiment, includes a temporal lengthor duration of between about 1 ms and about 200 ms. Notably, controlcircuitry 16 adapts the temporal width/length programmable rest periods(for example, the rest period (T_(rest)) in FIGS. 7A and 7B) based on orusing data which is representative of the relaxation time of thebattery/cell.

Indeed, in operation, one, some or all of the characteristics of thecharge pulses and/or discharge pulses are programmable and/orcontrollable via charging circuitry 12 including, for example, theshape, amplitude and/or duration of the pulses. Moreover, the sequenceof the charge and discharge pulses (within a packet) is programmable viacharging circuitry 12. For example, the discharge pulse may temporallyprecede the charge pulse and/or the packet may include more chargepulses than discharge pulses (for example, 2:1 or 3:2 charge pulses todischarge pulses) or more discharge pulses than charge pulses (forexample, 2:1 or 3:2 charge pulses to discharge pulses).

Moreover, the amplitude of the charge and/or discharge pulses may varywithin the packet (and is/are programmable and/or controllable via thecontrol circuitry), the duration of the charge and/or discharge pulsesmay vary (and is/are programmable and/or controllable via the controlcircuitry), and/or the duration and/or timing of the rest period(s) mayvary within the packet (and is/are programmable and/or controllable viathe control circuitry). Again, the control circuitry may employ suchprogrammable characteristics so that the change in voltage at theterminals of the battery/cell in response to such pulses is within apredetermined range.

As intimated herein, the control circuitry may manage, adjust, program,and/or control the amount of charge input into the battery/cell and/orthe amount of charge removed from the battery/cell via the chargingcircuitry. For example, the amount of charge input into the battery/cellmay be controlled via adjusting, controlling and/or modifyingcharacteristics of the charge pulses (for example, pulse amplitude,pulse width/duration and pulse shape). Similarly, the amount of chargeremoved from the battery/cell may be controlled via adjusting,controlling and/or modifying characteristics of the discharge pulses(for example, pulse amplitude, pulse width/duration and pulse shape).

In addition thereto, or in lieu thereof, the control circuitry maymanage, adjust, program, and/or control the ratio of the amount ofcharge input to the battery/cell to the amount of charge removed fromthe battery/cell, over time, via control of the charging circuitry. Inone embodiment, the control circuitry adapts, adjusts and/or controlsthe ratio of charge packets (which input a certain or predeterminedamount of charge into the battery/cell) to discharge packets (whichremove a certain or predetermined amount of charge from thebattery/cell). For example, the control may provide a ratio of betweenfive and ten charge packets to discharge packets, and in a preferredembodiment the ratio is greater than ten.

In addition thereto, or in lieu thereof, in another embodiment, thecontrol circuitry may adjust, program, and/or control the ratio on a perpacket basis (i.e., charge packet and/or discharge packet). In thisregard, the control circuitry adjusts, programs, and/or controls theamount of charge input per packet and the amount of charge removed perpacket to provide, manage, adjust, program, and/or control the ratio ofthe amount of charge input to the battery/cell to the amount of chargeremoved from the battery/cell, over time. Thus, in this exemplaryembodiment, the control circuitry adjusts, programs, and/or controls theratio on a packet-by-packet basis via controlling the chargingcircuitry.

Notably, a smaller ratio of the amount of charge input to the amount ofcharge removed will tend to lengthen the charge time to, for example,less than an optimal value. Under these circumstances, the chargingtechnique is increasing cycle life via increasing charge time. However,as indicated herein, in certain aspects, the adaptive charging circuitryand techniques of the present inventions may provide, enhance, control,optimize and/or adjust the charging profile to (i) minimize and/orreduce total charging time and (ii) maximize and/or increase cycle life.As such, in certain embodiments, the adaptive charging circuitry andtechniques of the present inventions may provide, enhance, control,optimize and/or adjust the charging profile to reduce the charging timewithout managing, increasing and/or maximizing the cycle life of thebattery/cell. Similarly, in certain embodiments, the adaptive chargingcircuitry and techniques of the present inventions may provide, enhance,control, optimize and/or adjust the charging profile to increase thecycle life of the battery/cell without managing, reducing and/orminimizing the charging time of the battery/cell.

Thus, the characteristics of the charge pulses and/or discharge pulsesare programmable, controllable and determined by the control circuitrywhen implementing one or more of the adaptive charging techniquesdescribed and/or illustrated herein (charging techniques to adapt,adjust and/or control one or more characteristics of the charge orcurrent applied to or injected into the battery/cell so that the changein voltage at the terminals of the battery/cell is within apredetermined range).

The characteristics of consecutive charge and discharge packets may berepetitive. That is, the combination of charging pulses, dischargingpulses and rest periods may be repetitive, which, in combination form apacket. Such packets of a charge or discharge signal may be repetitive.All combinations or permutations of charging and discharging pulses areintended to fall within the scope of the inventions.

Notably, such charge signals and discharge signals may be repeated overa charging period. The control circuitry may control, adjust, calculateand/or vary one or more of the parameters or characteristics of thecharging signals and/or discharging signals via controlling one or moreof the constituent packets including the charge pulses, dischargingpulses and rest periods thereof. For example, the parameters orcharacteristics of the charging and/or discharging pulses of one or morepackets of one or more charging and/or discharging signals, namelyshape, durations and/or current amplitudes of the pulses, may beadaptively modified as described herein to implement the adaptivecharging algorithm or techniques described herein. Indeed, in oneembodiment, the duration of the charging signal may be from onemillisecond to several seconds. Moreover, the duration of thedischarging signal (in one embodiment) may be from one millisecond to afew hundreds of milliseconds.

There are numerous permutations involving the amount of electricalcharge added to the battery/cell during the charge or charging signaland the amount of charge removed during the discharging signal. Allpermutations are intended to fall within the scope of the presentinventions. Notably, each permutation may result in a differentrelaxation period. Moreover, within each permutation, there exists alarge number of sub-permutations that i) combine the characteristics ofthe charge or charging signals (for example, the duration, shape and/oramplitude of the charging signal), the product of which determines theamount of electrical charge added to the cell; and ii) combine thecharacteristics of the discharging signal (for example, the duration,shape and/or amplitude of the discharging signal), the product of whichdetermines the amount of electrical charge removed from the cell; andiii) the length of time of the rest period. The characteristics of thecharge or charging signals may differ from the characteristics of thedischarging signals. That is, one or more of the duration, shape and/oramplitude of the charging signal may differ from one or more of theduration, shape and/or amplitude of the discharging signal.

As stated herein, the SOC of a rechargeable battery/cell, for example, alithium-ion battery/cell, is a parameter that is representative ofand/or indicates the level of electrical charge available in thebattery/cell. It may be characterized as a percentage of the nominalfull charge rating of the battery/cell, wherein a 100% SOC indicatesthat a battery/cell is fully charged and a 0% SOC indicates that thebattery/cell is fully discharged.

Notably, in one implementation, a current source is gated by a switch(which may be implemented via one or more transistors), and the terminalvoltage of the battery/cell is monitored to determine a CPV of thebattery/cell. In another implementation, circuitry of the chargingcircuitry is employed to generate a short charge or discharge pulse. Forexample, a laptop computer or smartphone includes an integrated chargingcircuit responsible for charging the battery. As mentioned herein, thecharging integrated circuit may be directly controlled through acommunication bus such as, for example, I2C or SMBus®.

As indicated herein, the monitoring circuitry monitors, senses, detectsand/or samples (on an intermittent, continuous and/or periodic basis)characteristics of the battery/cell including, for example, the responseof the battery/cell to one or more charge pulses, the terminal voltagesand the temperature. In one embodiment, the monitoring circuitryincludes a sensor to determine a voltage (for example, a voltmeter)and/or a sensor to determine a current (for example, a current meter).(See, for example, FIGS. 1D and 1E). In one embodiment, the monitoringcircuitry implements Kelvin-type measurement configurations in thatlittle to no current is required to determine the voltage at theterminals of the battery/cell and the current through the battery/cell.Notably, the monitoring circuitry and techniques may be those describedherein, now known or later developed, to acquire data employed by thecontrol circuitry to adaptive the charging profile of the battery; allsuch monitoring circuitry and techniques are intended to fall within thescope of the present inventions.

In addition, as mentioned herein, the control circuitry acquires thedata from the monitoring circuitry and, estimates, calculates and/ormeasures a CPV (in response to a charge pulse) and/or a change in CPV inresponse to a plurality of charge pulses of a plurality of packets and,if appropriate, adapts the charging process by controlling the operationof the charging circuitry. The present inventions may employ any controlcircuitry and charging circuitry whether that described herein, nowknown or later developed, to charge the battery/cell as well as adaptthe charging process.

Further, as noted herein, control circuitry may perform or execute oneor more applications, routines, programs and/or data structures thatimplement particular methods, techniques, tasks or operations describedand illustrated herein. The functionality of the applications, routinesor programs may be combined or distributed. In addition, theapplications, routines or programs may be implementing by the controlcircuitry using any programming language whether now known or laterdeveloped, including, for example, assembly, FORTRAN, C, C++, and BASIC,whether compiled or uncompiled code; all of which are intended to fallwithin the scope of the inventions.

Moreover, monitoring circuitry and control circuitry may share circuitrywith each other as well as with other elements. Moreover, such circuitrymay be distributed among a plurality of integrated circuits which mayalso perform one or more other operations, which may be separate anddistinct from that described herein.

Notably, at times, terms battery and cell have been employedinterchangeably to mean an electrical storage device that may beelectrically charged and discharged. Such a device may include a singleelectrical cell, or may include several cells electrically connected inseries and/or parallel to form a battery of larger electrical capacity.It shall be noted that the embodiments for adaptive charging describedherein shall apply to either cells or batteries, as a single unit ormultiple units electrically configured into a larger battery pack.

Notably, a “circuit” means, among other things, a single component (forexample, electrical/electronic) or a multiplicity of components (whetherin integrated circuit form, discrete form or otherwise), which areactive and/or passive, and which are coupled together to provide orperform a desired operation. In addition, “circuitry”, means, amongother things, a circuit (whether integrated or otherwise), a group ofsuch circuits, one or more processors, one or more state machines, oneor more processors implementing software, one or more gate arrays,programmable gate arrays and/or field programmable gate arrays, or acombination of one or more circuits (whether integrated or otherwise),one or more state machines, one or more processors, one or moreprocessors implementing software, one or more gate arrays, programmablegate arrays and/or field programmable gate arrays. The term “data”means, among other things, a current or voltage signal(s) (plural orsingular) whether in an analog or a digital form, which may be a singlebit (or the like) or multiple bits (or the like).

It should be further noted that the various circuits and circuitrydisclosed herein may be described using computer aided design tools andexpressed (or represented), as data and/or instructions embodied invarious computer-readable media, in terms of their behavioral, registertransfer, logic component, transistor, layout geometries, and/or othercharacteristics. Formats of files and other objects in which suchcircuit expressions may be implemented include, but are not limited to,formats supporting behavioral languages such as C, Verilog, and HDL,formats supporting register level description languages like RTL, andformats supporting geometry description languages such as GDSII, GDSIII,GDSIV, CIF, MEBES and any other suitable formats and languages.Computer-readable media in which such formatted data and/or instructionsmay be embodied include, but are not limited to, non-volatile storagemedia in various forms (e.g., optical, magnetic or semiconductor storagemedia) and carrier waves that may be used to transfer such formatteddata and/or instructions through wireless, optical, or wired signalingmedia or any combination thereof. Examples of transfers of suchformatted data and/or instructions by carrier waves include, but are notlimited to, transfers (uploads, downloads, e-mail, etc.) over theInternet and/or other computer networks via one or more data transferprotocols (e.g., HTTP, FTP, SMTP, etc.).

Indeed, when received within a computer system via one or morecomputer-readable media, such data and/or instruction-based expressionsof the herein described circuits may be processed by a processing entity(e.g., one or more processors) within the computer system in conjunctionwith execution of one or more other computer programs including, withoutlimitation, net-list generation programs, place and route programs andthe like, to generate a representation or image of a physicalmanifestation of such circuits. Such representation or image maythereafter be used in device fabrication, for example, by enablinggeneration of one or more masks that are used to form various componentsof the circuits in a fabrication process.

Moreover, the various circuits and circuitry, as well as techniques,disclosed herein may be represented via simulations using computer aideddesign and/or testing tools. The simulation of the charging circuitry,control circuitry and/or monitoring circuitry, and/or techniquesimplemented thereby, may be implemented by a computer system whereincharacteristics and operations of such circuitry, and techniquesimplemented thereby, are imitated, replicated and/or predicted via acomputer system. The present inventions are also directed to suchsimulations of the inventive charging circuitry, control circuitryand/or monitoring circuitry, and/or techniques implemented thereby, and,as such, are intended to fall within the scope of the presentinventions. The computer-readable media corresponding to suchsimulations and/or testing tools are also intended to fall within thescope of the present inventions.

In the claims, charge pulse voltage (CPV) of the battery means a peak orsubstantial peak voltage, measured at the terminals of the battery/cell,which is in response to a charge pulse. Further, the term “battery”means an individual cell (which stores energy) and/or a plurality ofcells arranged electrically in a series and/or parallel configuration.In addition, the terms “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do notdenote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used todistinguish one element from another. Moreover, the terms “a” and “an”herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote thepresence of at least one of the referenced item.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of controlling at least onecharacteristic of a charging process for a battery having positive andnegative terminals, the method comprising: (a) applying charge to theterminals of the battery at a first current; (b) measuring a terminalvoltage between the terminals of the battery multiple times orcontinuously over a period of time that includes at least when the firstcurrent is applied to the battery; (c) from the measurements of theterminal voltage in (b), determining whether one or more values of themeasured terminal voltage are outside a predetermined range or greaterthan a predetermined upper limit value; and (d) based on thedetermination in (c), controlling at least one characteristic of acharging process for the battery.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinapplying charge to the terminals of the battery comprises applying afirst charge signal to the terminals of the battery.
 3. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the first charge signal has a substantially constantcurrent.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein controlling at least onecharacteristic of a charging process comprises applying a second chargesignal to the terminals of the battery.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein the second charge signal is provided at a second current, whichis different from the first current.
 6. The method of claim 4, whereinthe first charge signal has a first profile, the second charge signalhas a second profile, and the first and second profiles are different.7. The method of claim 4, wherein the first charge signal has a firstduration, the second charge signal has a second duration, and the firstduration is not equal to the second duration.
 8. The method of claim 4,wherein the first charge signal comprises one or more first restperiods, the second charge signal comprises one or more second restperiods, and the durations and/or relative locations of the first restperiods within the first charge signal differ from that of the secondrest periods within the second charge signal.
 9. The method of claim 4,wherein the first charge signal has a first amplitude, the second chargesignal has a second amplitude, and the first amplitude differs from thesecond amplitude.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein applying the secondcharge signal comprises reducing the current applied to the battery. 11.The method of claim 1, wherein the determining whether one or morevalues of the measured terminal voltage are outside a predeterminedrange or greater than a predetermined upper limit value in (c) comprisesdetermining whether one or more of the values are less than apredetermined lower limit value.
 12. The method of claim 1, whereinmeasuring the terminal voltage over the period of time that includes atleast when the charge is applied to the battery comprises measuring theterminal voltage intermittently or periodically.
 13. The method of claim1, wherein measuring the terminal voltage over the period of time thatincludes at least when the charge is applied to the battery comprisesmeasuring the terminal voltage continuously.
 14. The method of claim 1,wherein controlling at least one characteristic of a charging processfor the battery comprises reducing the current according to apredetermined rate and/or a predetermined pattern.
 15. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the predetermined range or upper limit value isdependent on an external temperature.
 16. The method of claim 1, whereinthe predetermined range or upper limit value depends on a temperature ofthe battery.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined rangeor upper limit value is dependent on the battery's state of charge. 18.The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined range or upper limitvalue depends on the battery's state of health.
 19. The method of claim1, wherein controlling one characteristic of the charging process forthe battery comprises applying a plurality of additional charge signalsto the battery, wherein the current applied to the battery is decreasedduring each consecutive charge signal.